Sustained release of methantheline

ABSTRACT

A sustained release pharmaceutical composition which includes methantheline bromide and a polymer of a monomer mixture of a monoester of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol; polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amido and aceto containing monomer; an ethylenically unsaturated acid, and a diester.

United States Patent Cohen et a1.

1 1 Aug. 26, 1975 SUSTAIN ED RELEASE OF METHANTHELINE [73] Assignee: Union Corporation, Verona, Pa.

[22] Filed: Sept. 10, 1973 121] App]. No.: 395,669

[52] US. Cl 424/22; 424/81 [51] A6lk 27/12 [58] Field of Search 424/l9-22, 424/81 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,551,556 12/1971) Klimcnl et a1. u 424/21 3.630100 12/1971 Higuchi .r 1 128/260 3.641.237 2/1972 Gould et a1. 424/16 3,700.761 10/1972 O'Driscoll ct a1 264/1 3,710,796 1/1973 Nccfc 128/261) 3,786,812 1/1974 Nccfc 128/260 3,807.398 4/1974 Grucza 128/260 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Stecher et a1., Merck Index 8th Ed. 1968 Merck 8-: Co. Rahway NJ., p. 671, entry Melhantheline Br".

Primary Examiner-Shep K. Rose Attorney, Agent, or FirmPollock, Philpitt & Vande Sande [57] ABSTRACT A sustained release pharmaceutical composition which includes methantheline bromide and a polymer of a monomer mixture of a monoester of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol; polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amido and aceto containing monomer; an ethylenically unsaturated acid, and a diester,

11 Claims, No Drawings SUSTAINED RELEASE OF METHANTHELINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with a sustained release pharmaceutical composition. and in particular is concerned with a sustained release pharmaceutical composition which contains a water-insoluble but water-swellable hydrophilic polymer of a monomeric mixture containing a monoester of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid; polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amido and aceto containing monomer; an ethylenically unsaturated acid. and a diestcr.

It has previously been suggested to incorporate drugs into hydrophilic polymers to provide sustained release of the drug. Although a wide variety of suitable polymers and applicable drugs have previously been suggested. only a very limited number of combinations of particular drugs and particular polymers have to date been successful in providing sustained release charac teristics. In addition, various combinations which provide sustained release require mixtures of substituents in combination with the drug.

It has become quite evident that not any combination of any drug and any hydrophilic polymer will provide a sustained release pharmaceutical composition. The preparation of sustained release pharmaceutical compositions from polymers and drugs is highly empirical. The art has not advanced to the stage where a person skilled in the art can predict whether a particular combination of a drug and hydrophilic polymer will produce a sustained release pharmaceutical composition.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a suitable sustained release pharmaceutical composition. It is a further object of the present inven tion to provide a sustained release pharmaceutical composition which requires only the pharmacological material and the hydrophilic polymer and does not require the presence of auxiliary constituents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with a sustained release pharmaceutical composition comprising:

A. a matrix of a water-insoluble but water-swellable hydrophilic polymer of a monomer mixture containing:

l. polymerizablc monoester of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol;

2. polymcrizable ethylenically unsaturated amido and aceto containing monomer;

3. ethylenically unsaturated acid selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid. methacrylic acid. crotonic acid. and mixtures thereof. and

4. polymerizable diester of an acrylic and/or methacrylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol;

wherein the monomer mixture contains from about l to about 80% by weight of( l from about l5 to about 80% by weight of 2); from about 0.5 to about I09? by weight of (3) and from about 0.5 to about by weight of (4) based upon the total weight of( l l. (2). (3). and (4) in the monomer mixture; and

B. methantheline bromide in an amount at least sufficient for the total dosage requirement during a treatment period; and being entrapped in said matnx.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The polymerizable monoesters which are suitable in obtaining the polymers employed in the present invention must be water-miscible. Such polymerizable monoesters are monoesters of either acrylic and/or mcthacrylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol and preferably a dihydric alcohol. Suitable dihydric alcohols which may be employed to form the esters used in the present invention include among others ethylene glycol. 1.3- propanediol. the dialkylene glycols such as diethylene glycol and dipropylene glycol; and the polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol; l,6-hexamethylene glycol; and l,4-butanediol. Some suitable polyhydric alcohols which contain from 2 to 6 alcohol groups and which may be employed to form the ester used in the present invention include glycerol. trimethylol propane. trimethylolethane. pentaerythritol, and hexitols such as mannitol and sorbitol. Examples of some suitable polymerizable monoesters include Z-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate. Z-hydroxy ethyl acrylate. 2-hydroxy propyl methacrylate, diethylene glycol monomethacrylate, diethylene glycol monoacrylate, Z-hydroxy propyl acrylate, 3-hydroxy propyl methacrylate, S-hydroxy propyl acrylate, dipropylene glycol monomethacrylate, glyceryl methacrylate. and pentaerythritol methacrylate, with the preferred polymerizable monoester being Z-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate. The amount of polymerizable monoester employed in the monomeric mixture to prepare the polymers of the present invention is usually from about 15 to about 80% by weight. and is preferably from about 20 to about by weight, based upon the total weight of the polymerizablc monoester. amido and aceto containing monomer. ethylenically unsaturated acid. and diestcr. The most preferred amount of monoester is between about 30 and about 60% by weight based upon the total weight of the monoester; amido and aceto containing monomers; ethylenically unsaturated acid; and diestcr.

Illustrative of some polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amido and aceto containing monomers include aceto containing acrylamides and aceto containing methacrylamides such as diacetone acrylamide and hydroxymethylated diacetone acrylamide. Diacetone acrylamide and hydroxymethylated diacetone acrylamide are commercially available from Lubrizol under the trade designations Lubrizol DDA and Lubrizol HMDAA respectively. The amount of polymerizable amido and aceto containing monomer is usually from about l5 to about by weight; is preferably from about 20 to about 70% by weight and is most preferably from about 30 to about 60% by weight based upon the total weight of the polymcrizable monocster. amido and aceto containing monomer; ethylenically unsaturated acid; and dicster.

The ethylenically unsaturated acids employed in the present invention include acrylic acid. methacrylic acid. crotonic acid and mixtures thereof. with meth acrylic acid being preferred. The amount of acid is usually between about ().5 and about I071 is preferably between about ().5 and about 8%. and is most preferably between about I and about 57( by weight based upon the total weight of the monoester. amido and aceto containing monomer. acid. and diestcr.

The polymerizable dicsters employed in the present invention are dicstcrs of acrylic and/or mcthacrylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol and preferably a dihydric alcohol. Illustrative of such diesters are ethylene glycol diacrylatc. ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, l

butylene dimcthacrylate, l,3-butylenc dimethacrylate, l,4-butylcne dimethacrylatc, propylene glycol diacrylate, propylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, dipropylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, dipropylene glycol diacrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimcthacrylate, and tetraethylene glycol diacrylate. The preferred diester is tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The amount of diester employed is usually between about 0.5 and about 20%, preferably between about I and and most preferably between about 5 and about lOY: by weight based upon the total weight of the monoester, amido and aceto containing monomer, ethylenically unsaturated acid, and diester.

The monomer mixture can contain from about 30 to about 80% by weight or to about 70% by weight or to about 60% by weight of the polymerizable monoester; from about 30 to about 60% by weight of the polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amino-containing monomer; from about 0.5 or about 1 to about 2% by weight of the ethylenically unsaturated acid; and from about I or from about 5 to about 7.5% by weight of the polymerizable diester based upon the total weight of the polymerizable monoester, polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amino-containing monomer, ethylenically unsaturated acid, and polymerizable diester in the monomer mixture.

Methantheline bromide which is the drug employed according to the present invention, is generally used in amounts of about 0.l to about 50%, preferably from about 0.5 to about 25% and most preferably from about 1 to about by weight based upon the total weight of the methantheline bromide and the waterinsoluble but water-swellable hydrophilic polymer. The water-insoluble but water-swellable hydrophilic polymer is generally employed in amounts of about 50 to about 99.9%, preferably from about 75 to about 99.5% by weight, and most preferably from about 80 to about 99% by weight based upon the total weight of the methantheline bromide and water-insoluble but waterswellable hydrophilic polymer.

In addition, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can include such other materials as plasticizers, inert fillers, and suspending aids for the methantheline bromide such as CabO-Sil, and bentone.

Moreover. the compositions of the present invention can be further encapsulated by another polymeric or other film-forming substance according to particular applications of the composition. Such auxiliary encapsulating layers can be soluble or insoluble in aqueous medium, the solubility or swelling being dependent or independent of pH and/or ionic strength. and can be susceptible or non-susceptible to enzymatic action.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present in vention can be prepared by admixing the methantheline bromide or an aqueous solution thereof and the monomeric mixture containing the polymerizable monocstcr. amido and aceto containing monomer. ethylenically unsaturated ester and diester; and then by polymerizing to provide a matrix of the water-insoluble but water-swellable polymer entrapping the methantheline bromide. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can also be prepared by contacting the methantheline bromide with the water-insoluble but water-swellable polymer such as by immersing the polymer in a bath such as an aqueous bath of the drug to cause diffusion of the methanthelinc bromide into the polymer matrix. Generally the methantheline bromide is contacted with the polymer for at least about l5 minutes to cause diffusion into the polymer matrix. Ofcourse, this can vary greatly depending upon the relative amounts of the ingredients.

The water-swellable polymers employed in the present invention generally can be prepared by employing bulk polymerization techniques. The term bulk polymerization" as used herein includes those polymerizations carried out in the absence of a solvent or dispersing liquid as well as those polymerizations carried out in the presence of water or water-soluble or polym er-soluble liquid swelling agents in such amounts as not to significantly alter the nature of the polymerization process.

The polymerization catalyst employed can be any of the catalysts which are suitable in polymerizing compounds containing ethylenic unsaturation and preferably are the free radical catalysts. Of particular interest are the peroxide catalysts. Some examples of suitable peroxide catalysts include hydrogen peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, tert-butyl peroctoate, phthalic peroxide. succinic peroxide, benzoyl acetic peroxide, tert-butyl per oxy pivalate, coconut oil acid peroxide. lauric peroxide, stearic peroxide, oleic peroxide. tert-butyl hydroperoxide, tetraline hydroperoxide, tert butyl diperphthalate, cumene hydroperoxide. tert-butyl perbenzoate. acetyl peroxide, 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide, urea peroxide, caprylyl peroxide, p-chlorobenzoyl per oxide, ditert-butyl peroxide, 2,2-bis(tert-butyl peroxy)- butane, hydroxyheptyl peroxide. the diperoxide of benzaldehyde; alkylperoxycarbonates such as diisobutylperoxy bicarbonate, di-secondary butyl peroxy bicarbonate, and tert-butyl peroxyisopropylcarbonate, and the like. The preferred catalyst is one which is effective at moderately low temperatures such as at about 30-90 C.

The amount of catalyst employed depends upon the type of catalyst system used and is generally from about 0.0l to about 10 parts by weight per I00 parts of the monomer mixture. and preferably is from about 0. l to about I part by weight per I00 parts of the monomer mixture.

The polymerization is generally carried out at temperatures from about room temperature to about 150 C. It is generally preferred to initiate the polymerization at relatively low temperatures such as from about 35 to about C and then to increase the temperature to about to about l50 C as the reaction proceeds and preferably after most of the reaction has been completed. The most preferred initial temperature range of polymerization is between about 30 and 90 C.

Usually the polymerization is conducted under autogenous pressure in a closed reaction vessel. However, any suitable means to prevent significant evaporation of any of the monomers can be employed.

Generally, the polymerization is completed in about one-half to about l2 hours and preferably is completed in about 4 to about 6 hours. It is understood. of course, that the time and temperature are inversely related. That is. temperatures employed at the upper end of the temperature range will provide polymerilation processes which can be completed near the lower end of the time range.

In addition, it may be desirable for the copolymers obtained from such polymerizations to be post cured at temperatures somewhat higher than those initially employed in the polymerization. Usually the temperatures employed in the post cure will range from about 90 to about 150 C. Two hours is usually more than sufficient for such a post curing operation. Preferably the post cure is completed in 2 to 4 hours.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be utilized for oral ingestion. implantation, or external application to a mucous membrane. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be implanted subcutaneously. constitute a part of a prosthesis, or be inserted in a cavity of the human body. Upon application to the desired part of the body by the desired mode, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention provide sustained release of the pharmacological material by diffusion through pores of the water-insoluble but water-swellable polymeric matrix to the desired part of the body upon contact with body fluids.

The present invention makes it possible to obtain a sustained release pharmaceutical composition which requires only the drug and the water-insoluble but water-swellable polymer and does not require the presence of auxiliary constituents, such as other polymers. in addition. the sustained release characteristics of the present invention could not be predicted particularly since the polymers employed in this invention does not always provide sustained release compositions. Moreover. when methantheline bromide is employed together with other polymers. a sustained release composition is not always obtained.

The following examples are presented to furtherillustrate the present invention. All parts are by weight unless the contrary is. stated.

EXAMPLE I A polymeric composition is prepared by admixing about 60.5 parts of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylatc. about 2 parts of methacrylic acid. about 30 parts of diacetone acrylamide. about 7.5 parts of tctraethylene glycol dimcthacrylate, and about 0.4 parts of tert-butyl peroctoate. The mixture is heated to 55 C for about 12 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere of psi to effect polymerization. The mixture is post cured by heating under atmospheric pressure at 75 C for 2 hours and then at l20 C for another 2 hours.

About 73.6 parts of the resulting polymeric composition are soaked for about 12 hours at ambient temperature in about 5000 parts of an isotonic saline solution (0.9% NaCl) containing 100.2 mg of methantheline bromide per 5 ml of saline solution. The above composition is introduced into a beaker containing 20 milliliters of isotonic saline solution (0.9% NaCl) and the beaker is shaken at a constant temperature of 37 in a thermostatic water bath shaker. The concentration of eluted methantheline is determined with a Beckman DB-GT spectrophotometer using the maximum ahs0rp tion of methantheline bromide at 282 nanometers. Elution rates are checked at the time intervals shown below and fresh isotonic saline is employed after each reading. The results are listed below.

Time pg of Methztnthclinc A polymeric containing composition is prepared by admixing about 30.1 parts of Z-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, about 2 parts of methacrylic acid, about 60 parts of diacetone acrylamide. about 7.5 parts of tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and about 0.4 parts of tertbutyl peroctoate. The mixture is heated to 55 C for about 12 hours under nitrogen atmosphere of 20 psi to effect polymerization. The mixture is post cured by heating under atmospheric pressure at 75 C for 2 hours and then at l20 C for another 2 hours.

About 79.4 parts of the resulting polymeric composition are soaked for about l2 hours at ambient temperature in about 5000 parts of isotonic saline solution (0.9% NaCl) containing l0l .l mg of methantheline bromide per 5 ml of saline solution. The above composition is introduced into a beaker containing 20 milliliters of isotonic saline solution (0.9% NaCl) and the beaker is shaken at a constant temperature of 37 C in a thermostatic water bath shaker. The concentration of eluted methantheline is determined with a Beckman DB-GT spectrophotometer using the maximum absorption of methantheline bromide at 282 nanometers. Elution rates are checked at the time intervals shown below and fresh isotonic saline is employed after each reading. The results are listed below.

Time [Hours] pg of Methanthcline Eluted 2200 780 490 N10 290 I50 I I60 I040 EXAMPLE 3 About 67.5 parts of the resulting polymeric composition are soaked for about l2 hours at ambient temperature in about 5.000 parts of isotonic saline solution (0.9% NaCl) containing l02.8 mg of methantheline bromide per 5 ml of saline solution. The above composition is introduced into a beaker containing milliliters of isotonic saline solution (0.9% NaCl) and the beaker is shaken at a constant temperature of 37 C in a thermostatic water bath shaker. The concentration of eluted methantheline is determined with a Beckman DB-GT spectrophotometer using the maximum absorp tion of methantheline bromide at 282 nanometers. Elution rates are checked at the time intervals shown below and fresh isotonic saline is employed after each reading. The results are listed below.

Time Hours) pg of Methantheline Eluted What is claimed is:

l. A sustained release oral ingestion 26 hour methantheline eluting pharmaceutical composition comprising:

A. a polymerized and cured matrix of a waterinsoluble but water-swellable hydrophilic polymer of a monomer mixture consisting essentially of:

l. polymerizable monoesterof:

a. an acid selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and mixtures thereof; and

b. a polyhydric alcohol selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, l,3-propanediol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol. l,6- hexamethylene glycol, l,4-butanediol. glycerol. trimethylol propane, trimethylolethane, pentaerythritol, mannitol, sorbitol, and mixtures thereof;

2. polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amino Containing monomer selected from the group consisting of diacetonc acrylamide. hydroxy methylated diacetone acrylamide. and mixtures thereof;

3. ethylenically unsaturated acid selected from the group of acrylic acid. methacrylic acid, crotonic acid and mixtures thereof; and

4. polymerizable diester selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol diacrylate, ethylene glycol dimcthacrylate, l,2 butylene dimcthacrylate. lJ-butylene dimethacrylate. l.4-butylene dimethacrylate. propylene glycol diacrylate propylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylenc glycol dimethacrylate. dipropylene glycol dimethac rylatc, diethylene glycol diacrylate dipropylene glycol diacrylate, tctraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, tctraethylene glycol diacrylatc. and mixtures thereof; wherein the monomer mixture contains from about 30 to about 80% by weight of( l from about 30 to about 60% by weight of (2); from about 05 to about 271 by weight of (3); and from about 0.5 to about 7.5% by weight of (4) based upon the total weight of l (2) (3) and (4) in the monomer mixture;

B. said polymerized and cured matrix having been soaked for about 12 hours in isotonic saline solution containing per 5 ml of isotonic saline solution at least about I00 mg of methantheline bromide in an amount at least sufficient for the total dosage requirement adapted to gradually elute, upon oral ingestion during 26 hours of a treatment period; and thereby entrapping the methantheline bromide in said matrix.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the monomer mixture contains from about 30 to about by weight of l from about 30 to about 60% by weight of (2); from about 0.5 to about 2% by weight of (3); and from about l to about by weight of (4) based upon the total weight of l (2) (3), and (4) in the monomer mixture.

3. The composition of claim I wherein the monomer mixture contains from about 30 to about 6071 by weight of l from about 30 to about 60% by weight of (2); from about I to about 2'7? by weight of 3 and from about 5 to about 7.5% by weight of (4) based upon the total weight of l (2). (3); and (4) in the monomer mixture.

4. The composition of claim I wherein said monoester is selected from the group consisting of Z-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxy ethyl acrylate, 2- hydroxy propyl methacrylate. diethylene glycol monomethacrylate. diethylene glycol monoacrylate. 2- hydroxy propyl acrylate. 3-hydroxy propyl methacrylate, B-hydroxy propyl acrylate. dipropylene glycol monomethaerylate. glyceryl methacrylate. pentaerythritol methacrylate. and mixtures thereof.

5. The composition of claim I wherein said monoester is 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amino containing monomer is diacetone acrylamide.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amino containing monomer is hydroxy methylated diaeetone acrylamide.

8. The composition of claim I wherein said ethylenically unsaturated acid is methacrylic acid.

9. The composition of claim I wherein said diester is tctraethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

10. The composition of claim 3 wherein said monoester is Z-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate; said polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amino containing monomer is diacetone acrylamide; said unsaturated acid is methacrylic acid and said diester is tctraethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

l l. The composition ofclaim 3 wherein said monoester is Z-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate. said amino containing monomer is h \droxy methylated diacctone acrylamide, said unsaturated acid is methacrylic acid and said diester is tctraethylene glycol dimethacrylate. 

1. A SUSTAINED RELEASE ORAL INGESTION 26 HOUR METHANTHELINE ELUTING PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION COMPRISING: A. A POLYMERIZED AND CURED MATRIX OF A WATER-INSOLUBLE BUT WATER-SWELLABLE HYDROPHILIC POLYMER OF A MONOMER MIXTURE CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF:
 1. POLYMERIZABLE MONOESTER OF: A. AN ACID SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ACRYLIC ACID, METHACRYLIC ACID, AND MIXTURES THEREOF, AND B. A POLYHYDRIC ALCOHOL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL, 1,3-PROPANEDIOL, DIETHYLENE GLYCOL, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL, POLYPROPYLENE GLYCOL, 1,6-HEXAMETHYLENE GLYCOL, 1,4BUTANEDIOL, GLYCEROL, TRIMETHYLOL PROPANE, TRIMETHYLOLETHANE, PENTAERYTHRITOL, MANNITOL, SORBITOL, AND MIXTUES THEREOF,
 2. POLYMERIZABLE ETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED AINO CONTAINING MONOMER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF DIACETONE ACRYLAMIDE, HYDROXY METHYLATED DIACETONE ACRYLAMIDE, AND MIXTURES THEREOF,
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the monomer mixture contains from about 30 to about 70% by weight of (1); from about 30 to about 60% by weight of (2); from about 0.5 to about 2% by weight of (3); and from about 1 to about 75% by weight of (4) based upon the total weight of (1), (2), (3), and (4) in the monomer mixture.
 2. polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amino containing monomer selected from the group consisting of diacetone acrylamide, hydroxy methylated diacetone acrylamide, and mixtures thereof;
 3. ethylenically unsaturated acid selected from the group of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, and mixtures thereof; and
 3. ETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED ACID SELECTED FROM THE GROUP OF ACRYLIC ACID, METHACRYLIC ACID, CROTONIC ACID, AND MIXTURES THEREOF, AND
 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the monomer mixture contains from about 30 to about 60% by weight of (1); from about 30 to about 60% by weight of (2); from about 1 to about 2% by weight of (3); and from about 5 to about 7.5% by weight of (4) based upon the total weight of (1), (2), (3), and (4) in the monomer mixture.
 4. The composition of claim 1 wherein said monoester is selected from the group consisting of 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxy ethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxy propyl methacrylate, diethylene glycol monomethacrylate, diethylene glycol monoacrylate, 2-hydroxy propyl acrylate, 3-hydroxy propyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxy propyl acrylate, dipropylene glycol monomethacrylate, glyceryl methacrylate, pentaerythritol methacrylate, and mixtures thereof.
 4. polymerizable diester selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol diacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1, 2-butylene dimethacrylate, 1,3-butylene dimethacrylate, 1,4-butylene dimethacrylate, propylene glycol diacrylate, propylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, dipropylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, dipropylene glycol diacrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, and mixtures thereof; wherein the monomer mixture contains from about 30 to about 80% by weight of (1); from About 30 to about 60% by weight of (2); from about 0.5 to about 2% by weight of (3); and from about 0.5 to about 7.5% by weight of (4) based upon the total weight of (1), (2), (3), and (4) in the monomer mixture; B. said polymerized and cured matrix having been soaked for about 12 hours in isotonic saline solution containing per 5 ml of isotonic saline solution at least about 100 mg of methantheline bromide in an amount at least sufficient for the total dosage requirement adapted to gradually elute, upon oral ingestion during 26 hours of a treatment period; and thereby entrapping the methantheline bromide in said matrix.
 4. POLYMERIZABLE DIESTER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ETHYLENE GYLCOL DIACRYLATE, ETHYLENE GLYCOL DIMETHACRYLATE, 1,2-BUTYLENE DIMETHACRYLATE, 1,3-BUTYLENE DIMETHACRYLATE, 1,4-BUTYLENE DIMETHACRYLATE, PROPYLENE GYCOL DIACRYLATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL DIMETHACRYLATE, DIETHYLENE GLYCOL DIMETHACRYLATE, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL DIMETHACRYLATE, DIETHYLENE GLYCOL DIACRYLATTE, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL DIACRYLATE, TETRAETHYLENE GLYCOL DIMETHACRYLATE, TETRAETHYLENEGLYCOL DIACRYLATE, AND MIXTURES THEREOF, WHEREIN THE MONOMER MIXTURE CONTANS FROM ABOUT 30 TO ABOUT 80% BY WEIGHT OF (1), FROM ABOUT 30 TO ABOUT 60% BY WEIGHT OF (2), FROM ABOUT 0.5 TO ABOUT 2% BY WEIGHT OF (3), AND FROM ABOUT 0.5 TO ABOUT 7.5% BY WEIGHT OF (4) BASED UPON THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF .(1), (2), (3), AND (4) IN THE MONOMER MIXTURE, B. SAID POLYMERIZED AND CURED MATRIX HAVING BEEN SOAKED FOR ABOUT 12 HOURS IN ISOTONIC SALINE SOLUTION CONTAINING PER 5 ML OF ISOTONIC SALINE SOLUTION AT LEAST ABOUT 100 MG OF METHANTHLINE BROMIDE IN AN AMOUNT AT LEAST SUFFICIENT FOR THE TOTAL DOSAGE REQUIREMENT ADAPTED TO GRADUALLY ELUTE, UPON INGESTION DURING 26 HOURS OF A TREATMENT PERIOD, AND THEREBY ENTRAPPING THE METHANTHELINE BROMIDE IN SAID MATRIX.
 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein said monoester is 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate.
 6. The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amino containing monomer is diacetone acrylamide.
 7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amino containing monomer is hydroxy methylated diacetone acrylamide.
 8. The composition of claim 1 wherein said ethylenically unsaturated acid is methacrylic acid.
 9. The composition of claim 1 wherein said diester is tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate.
 10. The composition of claim 3 wherein said monoester is 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate; said polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated amino containing monomer is diacetone acrylamide; said unsaturated acid is methacrylic acid and said diester is tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate.
 11. The composition of claim 3 wherein said monoester is 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate, said amino containing monomer is hydroxy methylated diacetone acrylamide, said unsaturated acid is methacrylic acid and said diester is tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate. 